Featherstone extends his stay at Hartlepool United

The midfielder’s place in the squad was under threat as boss Ronnie Moore looks to ship some players out in order to bring new players in.

And with the short term contract Featherstone signed under Paul Murray finishing at the end of December, it looked like he would need to find a new club.

But Moore has decided to give him a further four weeks at Pools in order to strengthen his midfield options.

Dutch winger Sidney Schmeltz had also signed a short term deal under Murray but he was released last week while the loan deals of Matteo Lanzoni and striker Joe Ironside were not extended.

Moore acted quickly to replace those three, bringing in Sunderland defender Scott Harrison, Reading midfielder Aaron Tshibola and Mansfield striker Rakish Bingham.

Featherstone, 26, will also remain part of his plans, for the next month, at least.

“Nicky has signed for another month,” Moore told SportMail.

“We will have a look at him, as back-up for the squad.

“He gets in there and has a go and he will help.

“But we still need a couple more in and hopefully they will be in by the time we play Cheltenham.”

Featherstone was deployed in a central midfield role against Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, pushed slightly further forward with Matthew Bates in the holding role.

He played 83 minutes before being replaced by striker Scott Fenwick as Moore looked to get back into the game.

Pools hit the post in the 89th minute after Bingham connected to a Jack Compton corner with a firm header from close range.

But Moore’s side were then quickly reduced to 10 men when midfielder Lewis Hawkins was shown a second yellow card after coming on as a sub.

The Pools boss has called on the 21-year-old, now banned for one game, to learn from the mistake.

Moore added: “Lewis was enthusiastic and came on and tried to impress me.

“He got booked down the far end and then mistimed the tackle and it was always going to be a second yellow card, which cost us a little bit.

“Their reaction didn’t help but he will learn from that.”

- RICHARD MENNEAR